Helicopter with multi-rotors and wireless capability

Title: Helicopter with multi-rotors and wireless capability.Abstract: The present invention relates to a helicopter having a modular airframe, with multiple layers which can be connected easily, the layers which house the electronics (autopilot and navigation systems), batteries, and payload (including camera system) of the helicopter. The helicopter has four, six, and eight rotors, which can be easily changed via removing one module of the airframe. In one embodiment, the airframe has a vertical stacked appearance, and in another embodiment, a domed shape (where several of the layers are stacked internally). In one embodiment, there is a combination landing gear and camera mount. The helicopter allows for simple flight and usage by remote control, and non-remote control, users. ...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 61/344,789, filed Oct. 6, 2010, and is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/805,971, filed Aug. 26, 2010, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a helicopter, in reduced scale form, for industrial use, that includes a modular structure, multiple rotors and wireless capability. The reduced scale modular airframe helicopter is remotely controlled, and provides a high performance platform for high or low altitude surveillance, with a payload such as camera systems for photographic missions. The reduced scale helicopter of the present invention may be used for industrial use, for example in surveillance operations, such as border control, crime prevention, military reconnaissance, disaster reconnaissance, etc., and is reliable to achieve a maximum flight time with a minimum of down time. The reduced scale helicopter of the present invention is a state of the art unmanned aerial vehicle/unmanned aircraft system (UAV)/(UAS) helicopter with a built-in autopilot and navigation system that allows for simple flight and usage by remote control, ground station control and non-remote control users.

2. Description of the Relevant Art

Although reduced scale helicopters are in existence, they suffer from reliability problems, navigation problems, and have long delays in launch time. Further, present day helicopters suffer from a lack of features that would be advantageous in industrial use (used mostly as toys), and are not modular and upgradeable.

Thus, a reduced scale helicopter that could be used industrially, which includes state-of-the-art technology with high reliability, modularity, and upgraded features, such as multi-rotors and wireless capability, is desired.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a modular airframe, multi-rotor reduced scale helicopter with wireless capability, that has UAV/UAS and has a built-in autopilot and navigation system that allows for simple flight and usage by remote control, ground station control and non-remote control, users. The reduced scale helicopter with multi-rotor system of the present invention typically includes, in one embodiment, a modular center airframe or chassis, which consists of five (5) layered sections.

In a first embodiment, each layer of the airframe of the helicopter has a state-of-the-art “quick connection” (i.e., snap fit, pin connectors, etc.) that allows each of the layers to be easily removed, and another or similar layer to be inserted with the same connections.

In one embodiment, the top (first) layer of the airframe contains a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver electrical device which is connected via an electrical connection, to the autopilot system in the second layer. The GPS receives satellite data, which data is sent in real-time to the autopilot, which uses it to identify the location of the helicopter in latitude, longitude, altitude, and velocity, and in real-time.

The second layer includes any state-of-the-art Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) autopilot, which is connected to the electrical panel. The autopilot connects via the central “quick connect” system to separate speed controllers for the different motors of the helicopter in the fourth layer. Because the autopilot system is serial and modular, the autopilot can control from 4-8 speed controllers and motors in the fourth layer. These connections allow the autopilot to direct each of the different motors in order to maneuver the aircraft in any of X, Y or Z directions in the air.

The autopilot is connected to a wireless communication transmitter/receiver in the second layer, which transmits and receives wireless instructions from the ground station. The autopilot is also connected to a standard RC receiver, and has an electrical connector board that connects it to the autopilot. This separate connection allows the standard RC wireless transmitter/receiver to send separate instructions to the autopilot for vehicle control.

The autopilot is also connected to the electrical system in the second layer. The electrical power panel/conditioning system controls each rotor that is contained in the fourth layer. This electrical system allows the batteries in the third layer, not to be “overcharged” or to stop expending energy before the discharge completely. This electrical device conditions the power and acts as an adjustable speed regulator for the motors in the fourth layer.

A daylight-readable 2″-4″ LCD screen in the second layer, is connected via electrical wiring to the electrical panel and to the autopilot and other systems. Also mounted in the second layer is an optional data card which is used to save autopilot data collected from up to approximately 100 flights.

The helicopter has four, six, or eight rotors which are each connected via a shaft/wing to a separate speed controller. Each of the rotors is mounted horizontally on the end of shaft/wing, and at the top of the rotor is the rotor head assembly that has 2-6 rotor blades connected to it.

Each of the rotors\' shaft/wing is connected in a “spoke” back to the main chassis in the fourth layer which allows for the shaft/wing to be connected and disconnected using a state-of-the art connector system. The chassis contains openings or slots for four (4), six (6), or eight (8) arms with associated motor speed controllers. Thus, the appropriate layer with the appropriate number of shaft/wings or arms and rotors can be chosen by the user in assembling the aircraft.

In one exemplary embodiment, each arm/wing is connected via a hinged “connect/disconnect” mechanism that allows the entire wing/arm with attached motor mount and motor to be folded in parallel with each other (i.e., vertically). The arms/wings can be opened via a spring or piston per arm/wing, that would allow either a user actuated “release” or an automated “release” for launch, for example, and the arms/wings would open up into a flight position after launch.

In one embodiment, a rotor guard connects to the arms/wings and extends ⅕″ beyond the reach of the 4/6/8 blades, to allow the vehicle to come in contact with a vertical surface and the blades attached to the motors will not strike the vertical surface.

In one embodiment, the landing gear includes four (4) lightweight durable material, tubes that also slide into the fourth layer at a 45 degree angle with small rubber “feet” attached to the end, with the other end being attached inside the fourth layer via the “quick connect” system. In one embodiment, the landing gear can be folded parallel to one another for launch, and with a user-actuated or automated release, would spring back into landing position after launch.

In one embodiment, the helicopter carries a payload (i.e., camera) of several ounces to several pounds. In one embodiment, the camera system has the ability to allow for a remote wireless 2.4 Ghz RC transmitter and receiver system, for example, of a hand-held video and remote system, to remotely control a 360 degree left- and right-turning movement, with a 0-90 degree pan and tilt mechanism. This allows a user to move the camera while the helicopter is in operation at, for example, an altitude up to 12,000 ft, and a distance of up to 5 miles from the hand-held video and remote unit.

In a second embodiment, the helicopter layers are assembled together in a vertical, circular stacked arrangement, and are covered by a dome-shaped cover that secures to layer by suitable fasteners. In this second embodiment, there is a central core stacked shelf system, with the electronics disposed in an outer ring configuration around the fan of an air cooling system. In this configuration, the layers are implemented together, with the GPS disposed above the autopilot etc., and with the elements of the various layers being disposed in a ring-like configuration around the fan of the air cooling system.

In this second embodiment, a combination landing gear and camera mount is used. However, the combination landing gear/camera mount system can also be used with the first embodiment, with the landing gear legs of the first embodiment removed.

The helicopter has full autopilot operation via two separate modes—a hand-held remote control mode, and a ground station mode.

There has thus been outlined, some features that are consistent with the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features consistent with the present invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment consistent with the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract included below, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention.

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20120405|20120083945|helicopter with multi-rotors and wireless capability|The present invention relates to a helicopter having a modular airframe, with multiple layers which can be connected easily, the layers which house the electronics (autopilot and navigation systems), batteries, and payload (including camera system) of the helicopter. The helicopter has four, six, and eight rotors, which can be easily |